Detritus or cyano

[whtemajik]

Ok so my parameters are as follows….
Salinity 1.023
Alk 9.34
Cal 466
Phos .09
Ni 5 and I know that’s a little high
Mag 1383
I just performed a 25% water change and added cheato two days ago but the brown dust is back, which I’m pretty sure is detritus? I have done 25% water changes and just can’t seem to whip this issue. I’m not over feeding, and I think my flow is good, so any help would be appreciated. All corals and fish are doing fine otherwise. Tank is two tanks that were added into one 6 months ago 210 gallons now.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Looks like light film of diatoms. Lightly siphon and reduce white light intensity

 

[Cory]

How old is your tank? Use tap water? Looks like either diatoms or dinoflagellates. Hopefully diatoms.

 

[whtemajik]

How old is your tank? Use tap water? Looks like either diatoms or dinoflagellates. Hopefully diatoms.

The tank is almost 2 years up and running. I had a Red Sea 425 and a 125 that I combined into this 210. I use RODI water and have a TDS meter prior to 5th 6th and exit into my salt mix station. It reads zero. I think diatoms to but I just wanted verification. I have another question if you don’t mind…. I have these that I think are sponges and Vermetid snails I’ve bought bumble bee snails to help there, but do you know any other way to eradicate those? They are harming all my LPS and SPS. Pics added… thanks for the help

Looks like light film of diatoms. Lightly siphon and reduce white light intensity

 

[vetteguy53081]

The tank is almost 2 years up and running. I had a Red Sea 425 and a 125 that I combined into this 210. I use RODI water and have a TDS meter prior to 5th 6th and exit into my salt mix station. It reads zero. I think diatoms to but I just wanted verification. I have another question if you don’t mind…. I have these that I think are sponges and Vermetid snails I’ve bought bumble bee snails to help there, but do you know any other way to eradicate those? They are harming all my LPS and SPS. Pics added… thanks for the help

Poriferan sponge and bumble bees are hit and miss and you can break off the tubes complete at the base and the ones you can’t reach, place a dab of gel superglue from the dollar store over the opening of tube

 

[Tired]

That's a perfectly fine nitrate level for most tanks.

What snails do you have? You might just need a bit more stuff to eat the algae.

 

[Pistondog]

Ok so my parameters are as follows….
Salinity 1.023
Alk 9.34
Cal 466
Phos .09
Ni 5 and I know that’s a little high
Mag 1383
I just performed a 25% water change and added cheato two days ago but the brown dust is back, which I’m pretty sure is detritus? I have done 25% water changes and just can’t seem to whip this issue. I’m not over feeding, and I think my flow is good, so any help would be appreciated. All corals and fish are doing fine otherwise. Tank is two tanks that were added into one 6 months ago 210 gallons now.

Looks like it might be a low flow area.

 

[whtemajik]

That's a perfectly fine nitrate level for most tanks.

What snails do you have? You might just need a bit more stuff to eat the algae.

Bumblebee nerite trochus and turbo snails.

 

[whtemajik]

Looks like it might be a low flow area.

How many wav pumps would you think are needed in a 210?

 

[whtemajik]

Poriferan sponge and bumble bees are hit and miss and you can break off the tubes complete at the base and the ones you can’t reach, place a dab of gel superglue from the dollar store over the opening of tube

Thanks I really appreciate the feedback. Are the sponges good or bad?

 

[Pistondog]

How many wav pumps would you think are needed in a 210?

If you care if the sand is discolored put a small powerhead in that corner. Are there any ill-effects?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thanks I really appreciate the feedback. Are the sponges good or bad?

Some are toxic while others filter feeders. This type can be evasive. When removing, do so outside of the tank to avoid toxins.
Exposure to air or injecting with vinegar via syringe will get rid of unwanted sponge